Thursday is first day for residents to apply for heating assistance

Seniors and people with disabilities can begin applying for winter heating assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Thursday.

LIHEAP is a state and federally funded energy assistance program for low-income families. Families have to apply and qualify in order to receive the assistance.

A single-person household can qualify with a monthly income of up to $1,361; a two-person household up to $1,839; and a family of four can earn up to $2,794. Benefits are paid directly to utility companies on behalf of eligible households. The exception is households whose heating costs are included in their rent.

Residents applying for LIHEAP must bring a number of documents with them when they apply.

Residents with children under the age of five and those with disconnected utilities can begin applying for assistance Oct. 1. Individuals not eligible for priority enrollment can begin applying Nov. 1.

The list of sites participating in the October and November sign-ups will be released at a later date. Residents are helped on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is exhausted.

The sites listed below will be serving as intake centers for seniors and persons with disabilities and will begin taking phone calls for appointments Thursday.

United Way of Boone County, 220 W. Locust St., Belvidere, 815-544-3144

ALERTA, 130 N. State St., Belvidere, 815-547-3800

ccurry@rrstar.com815-987-1371

Corina Curry

Seniors and people with disabilities can begin applying for winter heating assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Thursday.

LIHEAP is a state and federally funded energy assistance program for low-income families. Families have to apply and qualify in order to receive the assistance.

A single-person household can qualify with a monthly income of up to $1,361; a two-person household up to $1,839; and a family of four can earn up to $2,794. Benefits are paid directly to utility companies on behalf of eligible households. The exception is households whose heating costs are included in their rent.

Residents applying for LIHEAP must bring a number of documents with them when they apply.

Residents with children under the age of five and those with disconnected utilities can begin applying for assistance Oct. 1. Individuals not eligible for priority enrollment can begin applying Nov. 1.

The list of sites participating in the October and November sign-ups will be released at a later date. Residents are helped on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is exhausted.

The sites listed below will be serving as intake centers for seniors and persons with disabilities and will begin taking phone calls for appointments Thursday.